Paper 1: M. Anderson et al.

Laterality and temperature effects in flamingo resting behaviour

Abstract

A webcam and online weather data were employed to study laterality and temperature effects in resting Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) on display at Chester Zoo (Chester, UK). Consistent with previous research, a significant population-level preference for rightward neck-resting was observed, no evidence for lateral support leg preferences during unipedal resting was obtained, and a relationship between temperature and unipedal resting was found, such that on cooler days more birds were seen resting on one leg. These results offer support for the generality of the lateral preference toward rightward neck-resting in Caribbean flamingos, as well as the role of unipedal resting in thermoregulation.